Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"

CLEMSON – The Deshaun WatsonDeshaun WatsonFr. Quarterback#4 6-3, 204Gainesville, GAView Full Profile News Network was back in full swing Wednesday evening as the media met with head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo SwinneyHead CoachView Full Profile for the last time before Saturday’s showdown with South Carolina.

Watson went from a green to a purple jersey Tuesday, and Swinney said Wednesday evening that he is encouraged by Watson’s progress and there is a chance that he could see some playing time Saturday afternoon.

“Good practice. We've got kind of last Wednesday. We'll have a Wednesday type practice at some bowl site somewhere,” Swinney said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think we've had good practices this week. I like the guys' demeanor and their focus and sense of urgency. I know y’all are going to ask about Deshaun and I thought he was better today than he was yesterday. Just like I've been saying, he's kind of getting better each day. I thought he was more confident today than he was yesterday.

“Tomorrow is another important day for us from a preparation standpoint, but I think he's got a good chance to play. How much or when? We haven't decided that yet but I definitely think he has a chance to play. I'll tell you this - they both have had a good week from a preparation standpoint from being mentally dialed in. Cole has had a great week. He's probably has his best week in quite a while. I think we're well prepared and we'll play a good game. Hopefully, Deshuan, by Saturday, is ready to go, but if not Cole StoudtCole StoudtSr. Quarterback#18 6-4, 231Dublin, OHView Full Profile is.”

Swinney said that the coaches haven’t made any sort of decision on Watson and will wait to see how the freshman is during Thursday’s practice.

“We haven't made any type of decision,” Swinney said. “I feel like after three days that he's got a chance. We'll decide here in the next day or so. Tomorrow's a big day. He's really gotten better every day. Part of it is him just getting more comfortable with his brace that he's wearing. He's never worn a brace so that's kind of a different thing, too. We'll see him tomorrow and we'll sit down and watch the tape and evaluate what we think gives us the best chance to win the ballgame. I think we're in better shape this week than we were last week.”

Watson was able to take a few first team snaps Wednesday.

“He got a few today but today was the first day that he got any first team snaps,” Swinney said. “He's mostly taken second team reps. We really want to just evaluate him but make sure that we have the continuity like we need with all of the other guys. There's really not anything else to say other than we'll watch the tape and come back out here tomorrow. I'm encouraged. I think there's a chance but how much, when? I don't know.”

If Watson is unable to play, Swinney said that he likes where senior quarterback Cole Stoudt is both mentally and physically.

“Just throwing the ball with a lot of confidence,” Swinney said. “He's really done well in all of our competitive stuff. It's been one of his better weeks from a competitive standpoint - our team pass and our skelly. He's just got a poise to him that I like this week. He's been very accurate with the ball and that's encouraging. He's taken pretty much all of the first team reps this week and done well.”

*Left tackle Isaiah BattleIsaiah BattleJr. Offensive Tackle#79 6-7, 285Brooklyn, NYView Full Profile was in a green jersey and Swinney said that Battle wasn’t injured, but something that he ate earlier in the day made him sick.

*Corner Martin JenkinsMartin JenkinsRS Sr. Cornerback#14 5-9, 185Roswell, GAView Full Profile probably won’t be able to play in his final home game due to a foot injury but should be available for the bowl game, according to Swinney.